Garmin Sharp and POC partner for helmets and eyewear

Distinctive products visibly different to much of the competition, team claims performance advantages

The Garmin-Sharp team has today officially announced a partnership with the Swedish company POC. Former Giro d’Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal used the company’s sunglasses in 2013 and now the rest of the team will utilise the products, including road, road aero and time trial helmets plus eyewear.

“I really believe the POC range of helmets is revolutionary in bringing new levels of comfort, aerodynamics and cooling to the market,” stated Dan Martin, stage winner in the 2013 Tour de France and Liège-Bastogne-Liège plus Volta a Catalunya victor.

“I am blown away by POC's advanced design and we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them this season.”

The helmets and eyewear are distinctive looking and also quite different to what other teams use. The time trial helmet is particularly unique; according to the team’s CEO, there are performance advantages to the products.

“We pride ourselves in working with best-in-class partners to develop equipment that helps our riders perform at their best,” he said. “POC is another great example of a superior partnership and we are thrilled to add them to the Slipstream family.”

The company previously specialised in skiing and mountain biking. The riders will use the Octal helmet, the Octal Aero and the Tempor TT helmet, plus the DID and DO Blades glasses.

The latter has been developed in collaboration with Hesjedal, and Olympic TT Silver medalist Gustav Larsson.

According to the company’s founder and CEO Stefan Ytterborn, the company is now increasing its focus on the road scene. He said that safety and performance improvements are twin goals.

“We need to go all in and support our mission of doing everything we can to possibly save lives and reduce the consequences of accidents,” he said, “and at the same time assist with performance through advances in technology. With Team Garmin-Sharp’s spirit, values and attitude, we have found a perfect partner.

“Together we will come up with even better, safer and faster products for the team and in their quest to win, but also benefit road cyclists around the world who will be able to use the same products and innovations for training and racing.”